Hormones can be wild, especially in perimenopause and menopause, and sometimes it feels like no one talks about just how much they mess with your mind, mood, and energy. But there’s a real science behind why things feel off, and it’s not all in your head. I sat down with my friend and hormone expert, Dr. Betty Murray, to talk about the gut-brain-hormone connection and why it’s such a big deal for women in this season of life. She’s not only a Functional Medicine Pioneer with over 20 years of experience, she’s also the Founder of The Menrva Project, a game-changing platform rethinking menopause care.

We talk about the stuff most doctors skip, why testing your hormones (not just guessing!) matters, how your gut health plays into your symptoms, and how stress totally hijacks your body. Dr. Betty shares what she’s seeing work in real time with her clients and why truly personalized care makes all the difference. If you’ve ever been told “it’s just aging” or felt brushed off, this one’s for you.

She also gives some real-life tips like what to eat, what to watch out for, and simple things that can actually help you feel like yourself again. It’s not about fixing you (because you’re not broken) but about understanding what your body needs in this new chapter. Whether you're just starting to notice changes or you're deep in the hormone rollercoaster, there's something here for you.

And if you're looking for something fun (and seriously good for you), I’ve been loving the new Mighty Maca Mango! It’s everything I love about Mighty Maca Plus, but with a zesty mango twist that’s perfect for summer. Try it with sparkling water, pour it over ice, or even make popsicles with the kids. It’s delicious and loaded with the good stuff your body will thank you for. You can check it out at dranna.com.

Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Introduction.

[00:04:04] Exploring the journey to functional medicine.

[00:09:44] Hormonal health and individualized care.

[00:12:20] Hormones and women's health.

[00:15:38] Testing hormone levels effectively.

[00:18:25] Estrogen dominance and microbiome health.

[00:20:11] Hormones and gut microbiome connection.

[00:24:26] Post-tubal syndrome and hormone disruption.

[00:27:01] Estrogen's role in fat loss.

[00:31:01] Insulin resistance and dietary changes.

[00:34:06] Airway health and sleep quality.

[00:36:09] Hormone replacement therapy considerations.

[00:39:24] Hormone metabolism and cancer risk.

[00:44:33] Progesterone's protective properties.

[00:48:14] Gut-brain connection in women.

[00:49:17] Hormones and mood disorders.

[00:53:00] Hormone management and detoxification.

Memorable Quotes:

"Our hormones are so much more powerful than the neurotransmitters that we associate with mood." [00:49:17] – Dr. Betty Murray

"In order for us to really, I think, fix the women's health care crisis, we need to have women have that control of their own body as an N of one, right? Because we're all different." [01:01:47] – Dr. Betty Murray

Links Mentioned:

Mighty Maca Mango: https://drannacabeca.com/products/mighty-maca

Menrva Project: https://www.getmenrva.com/home

Connect with Dr. Betty Murray:

Website: https://www.bettymurray.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbettymurray

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drbettymurray

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bettymurray/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drbettymurray

Connect with Dr. Anna Cabeca:

Website: https://drannacabeca.com/pages/show

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlfrienddoctor/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegirlfrienddoctor

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drannacabeca

Produced by Evolved Podcasting: www.evolvedpodcasting.com

You might not think of light as a healing tool, but red and near-infrared light can do some pretty amazing things, especially when it comes to pelvic health. From easing perimenopause struggles to helping your body bounce back after birth, this kind of light therapy is opening up a whole new world for women dealing with pain, discomfort, or intimacy issues. I had such a good conversation with Dr. Genevieve Newton (Fringe’s Scientific Director) and Elizabeth Frey (Pelvic Health Physiotherapist) about how this all works, and why more women need to know about it. If you’ve been dealing with stuff “down there” that no one seems to talk about… this is your episode.

We broke down how light therapy works on a cellular level, why the pelvic region responds so well to it, and how vibration and frequency add even more benefits. Liz shared some powerful stories from her practice, real women seeing real results, like less pain, better intimacy, and more confidence in their own bodies. And Dr. Gen? She brings the science in a way that totally makes sense. Plus, we got into the details of the Pelvic Wand, a little device doing big things for women's health.

We also touched on what the latest research is saying about all this (spoiler: it’s pretty exciting), and how to know if this therapy might be right for you. Whether you're healing, curious, or just want to feel more connected to your body again, there’s something in this conversation for you.

And quick side note: there’s a new Mighty Maca flavor in town! I’m loving the Mango version lately. I mix it with sparkling water over ice or even make it into popsicles—it’s a refreshing little boost with all the benefits. Check it out at dranna.com/fringe, use code DRANNA for 10% off.

Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Introduction.

[00:01:34] Pelvic light therapy breakthrough.

[00:04:54] Wavelengths in light therapy.

[00:10:11] Women's health and light therapy.

[00:13:00] Genitourinary syndrome of menopause.

[00:14:27] Red light therapy benefits.

[00:18:45] Recommended usage of light therapy.

[00:24:28] Red light therapy for scars.

[00:27:10] Prolapse and pelvic floor therapy.

[00:30:08] Quality of life improvements.

[00:32:20] Pelvic health and prevention.

[00:38:17] Vaginal Intimate Moist product launch.

[00:39:14] Water-based lubricant and pelvic health.

[00:42:34] Home lighting devices and health.

[00:46:30] Ancient healing meets modern science.

Memorable Quotes:

"It's fascinating because it's been mapped out really on a cellular level, how when you expose tissue to light therapy, there's really a very dramatic response." [00:28:04] – Dr. Genevieve Newton

"We combine red and near-infrared light benefits with vibration therapy and home exercise for the postmenopausal woman. It is like I'll say magic. It really is. It's a great combination. And I'd say that's where I'm seeing the most success in my practice." [00:15:07] – Elizabeth Frey

Links Mentioned:

Mighty Maca Mango: https://drannacabeca.com/products/mighty-maca

Fringe’s Pelvic Wand:

https://dranna.com/fringe

Connect with Dr. Genevieve Newton & Elizabeth Frey:

Website: https://fringeheals.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fringeheals/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joinfringe

Connect with Dr. Anna Cabeca:

Website: https://drannacabeca.com/pages/show

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlfrienddoctor/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegirlfrienddoctor

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drannacabeca

Produced by Evolved Podcasting: www.evolvedpodcasting.com

Hormones are wild, especially when you realize they’re not just about how much you have, but how your body uses and processes them behind the scenes. That’s what hormone metabolite testing helps uncover, and honestly, it’s a game-changer. I’m sitting down with Dr. Liz Bartman, an incredible Naturopathic Doctor with a deep background in hormone science, to talk about how we can actually test our hormones in a meaningful way and what those results are really telling us.

We chat about the different ways to test—blood, saliva, urine—and why each one tells a slightly different story. Dr. Liz also shares what happens to our hormones during menopause (hint: it’s not all doom and gloom) and why cholesterol is actually essential for hormone production. One of the most eye-opening parts? The way our bodies detox estrogen and what certain metabolites might be saying about our long-term health risks, like breast cancer.

If you’ve ever felt like your labs weren’t giving you the full picture, this one’s for you. Dr. Liz brings a refreshingly smart, grounded approach to hormone health. Oh, and speaking of refreshing… I’ve been sipping on my new favorite thing lately: Mighty Maca Mango! It’s the same powerful superfood blend you know and love, now with a zesty mango twist—perfect over ice or made into popsicles. You can grab it over at dranna.com.

Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Introduction.

[00:04:25] Hormone metabolite testing significance.

[00:07:17] The postmenopausal woman’s hormones.

[00:10:39] Hormonal changes during menopause.

[00:18:41] Cholesterol and hormone production.

[00:24:32] 16-hydroxyestrone and cancer growth.

[00:27:42] Quinones and cancer risk.

[00:34:34] Progesterone's role in conception.

[00:37:45] Cortisol levels and metabolism.

[00:44:53] Mitochondrial resuscitation techniques.

[00:54:29] Gut health and hormone regulation.

[00:58:45] Oxidative stress management strategies.

[01:05:09] Waking up the hormone receptors.

[01:06:05] DIM, I3C, Calcium D-glucarate.

[01:11:13] Estrogen metabolism and methylation.

[01:14:32] Lifestyle changes impact health.

Memorable Quotes:

"We don't want to build up our garbage pile if we don't have enough garbage bags to deal with it." [01:12:38] – Dr. Liz Bartman

"I think really through lifestyle, there can be a lot that can be corrected. We don't want to just supplement away our symptoms. But really focusing on those." [01:15:10] – Dr. Liz Bartman

Links Mentioned:

Mighty Maca Mango: https://drannacabeca.com/products/mighty-maca

Connect with Dr. Liz Bartman:

Website: https://wholegenicwellness.com/ & https://www.endoaxis.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholegenic_wellness

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AstreaFamilyWellness

Connect with Dr. Anna Cabeca:

Website: https://drannacabeca.com/pages/show

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlfrienddoctor/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegirlfrienddoctor

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drannacabeca

Produced by Evolved Podcasting: www.evolvedpodcasting.com